The second-ranked Dons forced 41 turnovers out of Clint and ran into school history away a 97-53 Region I-4A area playoff game at the Odessa College Sports Center.

Palo Duro, a 100-52 win over Clint in this same round a year ago, visit the regional quarterfinals for the second consecutive year meeting El Paso Chapin in this same gym.

The victory improved Palo Duro to 33-1, an Amarillo Independent School District record for boys basketball wins in a season.

Palo Duro fourth-year coach Jeff Evans wasnt concerned with records after the 44-point win. Only the fact his team advanced in the playoffs.

+This game kind of ended up the same as last year, said Evans, who didnt have a senior in his starting lineup. + The kids ended up getting the job done and I know they are glad to have that first game out of the way. I thought we played hard.

Clint, to its credit, did throw a stone a Goliath Palo Duro.

Clint raced out to 12-2 lead four minutes into the game as the Dons looked a little shaky with six turnovers and allowing the Lions some open looks that included a pair of 3-pointers by Bryan Sosa and Hector Granado.

But after Evans called a timeout, the Dons who were playing their second game in 15 days were wide awake.

+We had a huddle and Coach Evans like, went wild, said PD junior Austin Johnson, who came close to a triple double with 23 points, 10 steals and nine rebounds. +That got us started.

Johnson wasnt kidding.

Palo Duro, flexing its full-court muscle, went on a 27-5 run that produced a 29-17 lead with 4:46 to play in the first half.

Clint never recovered.

+Our intensity wasnt there, Evans said of his timeout strategy. +It picked up from that point on and we finished the first half with intensity but not much execution. In the second half we got both together and that was the difference.

Five Palo Duro players scored the 27 points, the hottest streak belong to sophomore Justin Mason who ripped off four consecutive baskets over 91 seconds and finished with 13 points.

While this scoring was impressive and eventually led to a 70-39 lead after three quarters, the Dons fed off their press.

Records: Palo Duro is 33-1; Clint finishes 15-11

Impact: PD advances to the regional quarterfinals.

Clint eventually coughed up 41 turnovers that directly led to 43 of the Dons 97 points.

+The press is really our main thing, said Johnson, who added three dunks. +It gets us going because we get turnovers. We get steals and easy layups.

That was never more evident than the opening two minutes of the second half when Palo Duro went on an 11-0 run, scoring seven of the points off turnovers, and all 11 points within a five-foot range of the basket.

Clints Granado, who stayed strong throughout and finished with a team-high 21 points, said the Dons press is relentless.

+They get up in your face and they never stop, Granado said. +They press on you all game long and you get tired. They are just a good team.

Palo Duro also loves to score points and didnt harm its 92 point average in its first playoff outing.

Johnson led the way with his 23 points, sophomore post Justin Butler produced 17 points, sophomore Wesley Shaw scored 16, followed by Masons 13 points.

+What we learned is we need to come out and execute everything better, Evans said. +I dont know if it was rust or nerves or what. But we finally got going there in the first quarter.